Koraput

Koraput district of Odisha is one among the backward district in the country where MSSRF works closely with the tribal communities. The GPS coordinates of Koraput district is with latitude: 18° 49' 12.00" N and longitude: 82° 43' 12.00" E. The geographic area of the district is around 8807 sq. km, with 7 Tehsils and 14 blocks. Koraput is a tribal-dominated district accounting for nearly 23% of Orissa's total population, with 51 tribal communities of the total 62 tribes with Gadaba, Omanatya, Paroja, Saura, Bhumia Bhottadas being the major groups. 70% of the population are small and marginal farmers with 83% living Below Poverty Line. The primary source of income is from agriculture, and agricultural labour and collection of Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) and animal husbandry.

The average annual rainfall recorded is 1521.8 mm, with annual rainy days of 70-80 days. About 79% of the cultivable area is under rain-fed, the major cropping season depends on rain. The remaining 21.1% of the cultivated area is under irrigation with canals, rivers, farm ponds, and dug wells irrigating the net sown area of the district. The major soil type of Koraput is Alfisols (deep loamy red) and Ultisols (laterite soils).

Kharif is the major cropping season where farmers cultivate cereals, millets, oilseeds and pulses. In Rabi season, few pulses, oilseeds and vegetables are being cultivated and the majority of the farmers migrate in search of wage-labour both within and outside the district. It is often cited that integrated farming; entrepreneurship development and reduction of drudgery, creating value addition and marketing opportunities in agriculture are not addressed adequately.